Flathead Basin Commission updated on AIS
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PABLO — Although zebra and quagga mussels remain the priority aquatic invasive species, Caryn Miske, Executive Director of the Flathead Basin Commission, and AIS consultant Erik Hanson reported an infestation of curly-leaf pondweed at Eagle Bend near Bigfork.
Miske and Hanson broke the news during an AIS update at the Flathead Basin Commission meeting held at the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribal Council chambers on April 18.
Hanson noted the weed is segregated by the marina and a channel nearby and will be treated in mid-May. A concern, according to Hanson, is the use of herbicide in the water.
“The herbicide has been used throughout the United States, is very low risk and very specific to killing (curly-leaf pondweed),” he said.
He added there is a narrow window of treatment since Flathead Lake will rise soon, and a dam containing the infected water will break down as the lake rises.
Miske introduced Jayden Duckworth, who will be supervising boat inspection stations set up to prevent the spread of quagga and zebra mussels.
Duckworth has been with the program for two years working in the trenches at a check station. On this side of the continental divide, stations will be set up south of Ronan, near Eureka on Highway 37, in the the Swan Valley at Clearwater Junction and another roving station.
The group also discussed training Port of Entry personnel to inspect boats for the pesky AIS invaders. All players in the fight against AIS hope to catch all mussels and weeds before they infest Montana.
